Niner Jet 9 vs RIP 9 27.5 on Rocky Trails

Previously I did a time trial between the Niner Jet 9 RDO and Niner RIP 9 27.5 on smoother trails. That can be found here:
• 27.5 vs 29 Trail Bike ...
In this video I do a TT between the two bikes on rougher trails.

[@Stormingsmoke]

Thank you Clint, I love your commitment to the MTB community.

[@Wschles]

You have a great relaxing voice and personality that compliments the great flowy ride. So hypnotizing ! Thank you.

[@Jeffhuebner]

So hard different than the part of Florida I live in. The rocks looked terrifying! Loved the owl hooting in the background.

[@kfivemtb]

i love that trail and ride it a ton, rode it for 2 years on my santa cruz 5010 27.5, now i have the hightower 29, and everything you say is 100% correct. but it is all in the approach, i ride the trail differently on the 29...i can attack those gnarly rock sections more aggressively, on the 27.5 you have to be a little more methodical in your approach. great videos clint!

[@jamespilar9840]

Thanks I like your honest remarks. Also well thought out responses to each mtn bike is capable of doing.

[@uriahchessor9989]

You must be stoked that Santos and SF are back open. Hoping to get back down to one of those spots within the next week or so. Sometimes I wish I was on a 27.5 but glad I stuck with 29er for reasons you mention.

[@mitchbloxsom5695]

Hey Clint, I have found that where i live, the best bike is a 130mm-150mm travel 27.5" bike. I have recently bought myself a Merida 140, which is a 140mm 27.5 all mtn/light enduro bike, which is plenty for endruo racing here there are only a few trail that you would feel limited on. The trails here are full of switchbacks, tight corners, and small rock features, designed to be able to be popped off, and just in general, very fun, fast and just great to throw your bike around. The one thing is, there is a lot of rocks, and small rock gardens, with a few steep, janky ones that give your bike skills a test, but the trails are fast enough, where me, and average rider, can't tell much of a difference the two wheel sizes. I believe that 29 v 27.5 is a lot more of the actual trails, and how you personally want to ride them, than what is supposedly the 'best'. I like riding both bikes, and think think that any bikes under 125mm of travel should be 29ers, just because of the extra roll-over ability that makes up a bit for the lack of travel, but in between 130 and 150, so i guess 'trail', for my trails, 27.5 is the way for me, but again, is different from person to person. So i think they best way to know what wheel size to get is, is to go demo two bike of roughly the same travel, both 27.5 and 29, and see which you liked better. Well thats enough rambling for me, I enjoyed watching you videos and keep up the good work!

[@ClintGibbs]

I think we're on the same page. I have a talking head video coming out Sunday morning that discusses a lot of what you mentioned. Fun stuff!

[@twowheelslater7112]

Seems like up here in north Ga most folks settled into downcountry bikes. I put some wide bars and 43mm tires on my gravel bike and i've been hitting the trails with it and having a blast. Poor mtb has not been getting a lot of love lately but i'm training for the TNGA and training rides are approaching 10000 feet of elevation. When your covering that much ground with that much elevation lots of gears and hand positions are nice.

[@patrickmckellips5960]

Hi Clint, Thanks again for another great video. I would be really interested to hear how the Niner Jet 29 compares to the Giant Trancerans 29. The bike seemed similar, but often times the real difference is in the subtlety of the ride.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

My focus these days is on fatbikes, but I ride my 29er hardtail and 27.5” Anthem regularly and I am torn. I really like attributes of both, specific to the wheel size.

[@frankstrobel4350]

that looks like a really nice fun trail.

[@ashevillescarborough]

Right on! Esp the crank arm length comments.. true with the 29er Rip9 as well

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Whats funny is ive had two 27.5’s that I’d ride alone and have a great time, it wasn’t until I got strava and started riding with friends that I even cared about speed or considered getting a 29er. Still on a 27.5 currently.

[@robtodd4726]

Great comparison. What are your thoughts on the bike going second having an advantage? My guess is you’ve previewed the trail and for someone as fit as you, you may have even been more fully warmed up for the second go around. That would really put the advantage to the 29!!!

[@ridewithgae1467]

Nice Video, thank you Clint

[@zxtenn]

Clint, SRAM is coming out with a 52 tooth cassette to replace/upgrade the 50 but also need to replace the derailleur. All in all it seems your comparison is close to a wash and personal preference, i must admit my RM Instinct 90 BC which is a 29 is better than my Spectral which was 27.5 for climbing and also far less pedal strikes, thats my NOVICE opinion, pedal strikes on the Spectral almost seemed 'normal'

[@joecycle7534]

You should do the same test but 29er VS 27.5+

[@evilbanks]

Excellent video. Love my Jet 9 RDO. Also have a SIR 9 because steel is real. At least that's what they tell me.......haha

[@dadventuretv2538]

I put 170 mm crank arms on my Bronson V3, which I always run in low. Much better. I wasn’t getting pedal strikes, but there were times I wanted to pedal or get on the power a split second sooner that I couldn’t with 175. The 170s are perfect. Plus, I am just worrying about it less. I also sized up for my height because I like a long bike and the 170s just make it fit like a glove. So if you go 27.5 go with the 170s. And take that 27.5 to a skate park and some place with jumps. That’s what 27.5s love to do. They wanna play.

[@darrell1829]

You have some nice bikes. I just have my 1 bike (gravel bike). Satisfies all my needs (bit of gravel, 'cross, road, light MTB trails, even time trial road). Have had it 7 years (built myself & wheels). Each to their' own.

[@ClintGibbs]

The RIP is currently a demo. It's such a good bike.

[@PoppoBikes]

Clint, which trailhead are you entering. Ride Santos twice a year but videos seem to look different than when actually there. Enjoyed the video. Thanks...

[@ClintGibbs]

We usually park at the vortex trailhead. Dawson wants quick access to the dirt jumps

[@Gezushe77]

Great video! I’m on the fence between a Jet 9 and rip9 29. What do you think is a better do it all bike? I REALLY like the look of the Rip9, but I ride flowy trails. I don’t ride many technical trails. Also, do you get a lot of pedal strikes with the rip9?

[@ClintGibbs]

Jet is a better all around bike. I think we'll see a new design this year.

[@jacobhines9513]

Hey when this is all over u should go to patapsaco State park (Maryland) I went there once and it was sooooo much fun

[@hansschotterradler3772]

That's the Park where I go riding

[@derektaylor2845]

My lap times are faster on my yeti Sb 140 27.5 compared to my yeti sb 150 and 130. I cant get my head around the 29er hype. I'm curious to see your son do the same test. because of his bmx background I wonder if he may have the better technique on the 27.5 to maneuver the bike over the chunk. Kind of treat it like a mini rhythm section as opposed to rocks.

[@hongziyang]

Have you ridden the Ibis Ripley? Curious how it compares to the Jet9. Growing up in Loveland Co I have a soft spot for Niner...

[@ClintGibbs]

No experience on an Ibis yet. But I get a lot of comments that I need to try one. But the Jet 9 handle so well I just don't feel myself longing for anything else.

[@aliesmaili6938]

Seems like you are always riding 9ers !! Are they by any chance sponsoring you? I just started looking for Gravel bikes and when I test rode a Steel frame 9er Gravel RDO it felt very natural and nice. I liked it a lot but kind of pricey for what it was. I ended up purchasing a Litespeed Ti Gravel bike which is getting built as we talk. In any case you make great clips. Continue the good work. Keep safe

[@ClintGibbs]

It's not a sponsorship, but they allow me to purchase bikes at a discount. It's a relationship I sought out because I really really like their bikes.

[@derektaylor2845]

Since you have both of these bikes. Mullet out the 27.5 bike with the front fork and wheel of the 29er.

[@panhandlemtb4308]

Hey Clint, new to the channel and live what I have heard and seen! Great work! I have a question or two and its for you or anyone else. I am looking to buy a new fs bike and had if narrowed down to the yeti sb140 or pivot mach 5.5. Then someone told me about this niner, the rip 9 27.5. Def looking for a 27.5. Have you, or anyone ridden all three of those bikes? I live in NW florida and have to travel to Birmingham alabama to demo most bikes. Im not sure how I could demo one of those niners though...

[@ClintGibbs]

Both Yeti and Pivot are a great bike. I owned a pivot Mach 5 years ago. v Very well built bike. I find the DW link a little bit stiffer than I like. I like Niner's CVA suspension in that it has a really solid pedaling platform but yet it feels pretty plush when you need it to be. If it were me I would narrow the choices to Yeti or Niner, just depending on your access to those brands.

[@burninggiraffe4929]

Curious on the BB height on both bikes? Wonder if that adds to the pedal strikes or lack thereof?

[@ClintGibbs]

BB will typically be higher on a 29 just because the wheel axles are higher.

[@JohnSmith-qv6hp]

27. 55 trance has lower BB than retired 26inch horrid pedal strikes more and for me no advantage in lower CG for handling

[@cup_and_cone]

Clint, you seem like a Tifosi fan - have you seen or tried their new Sledge glasses? I got hit by a Facebook ad for them, now have some on the way... At a third the price of comparable 100%/POC, it just made me realize how tired I am of overpaying for sunglasses.

[@ClintGibbs]

Thanks. I'll check those out

[@philjones4903]

What width bars do you recommend?

[@ClintGibbs]

For cross country I like something around 760. For trail and Enduro about 780 to 800.

[@philjones4903]

My new Trek came at 30 and I had them cut to 25

[@abelramos8652]

Hi Clint! Are you going to try an ebike ever?

[@ClintGibbs]

It's a strong possibility 😉

[@abelramos8652]

Clint Gibbs not for gravel or xc obviously, but for >trail they are the shit. And as long you don’t abuse of the highest assist levels it doesn’t even kill the experience it just gives you a bit of extra punch. Then you can use turbo mode for just touring, lazy days, launchtime, get you up the hill when you just want to descend (which is really what it is for) Lots of fun, lots of versatility ... it a must in every biker garage of financially possible. Try one just change your mind a bit about it, they are about pure fun.

[@rascal1234]

I kind of feel those trails are probably not challenging the RIP enough. Need something more Enduro worthy. Would be a great comparison to go to North Carolina and do the same test. Of course, depends on the current situation.

[@ClintGibbs]

That's coming in a few weeks

[@niteryder50]

Really depends on trails, nothing steep or really tech downhill there. 27.5 are amazing when thing get tight and you got gravity. 29 is always going to win with those climbs. Throw in a 3 min of tight, rough and steep downhill and things might be difference. There is no one size all depends on bike in question and where you ride.

[@stallroad5560]

How about trying 27.5 plus tires?

[@ClintGibbs]

I did a whole series on that a few years ago. There were some characteristics that I really liked about 27.5+. But at the end of the day it was not the right bike for me.

[@scottlohr4126]

We need to send you some rocks from WV, MD, PA so you can do a proper rocky trail test.

[@ClintGibbs]

Send 'em down!

[@scottlohr4126]

Clint Gibbs have to bring em one at a time... great job on the vids!

[@dadventuretv2538]

Clint- what width 27.5 tires you riding? I did a vid on actual wheel diameter and found that 27.5 x 2.6 Minion DHF is only half in smaller in diameter than s 29 x 2.3 Minion DHF. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHi1hZ6PaZ6co7M Which explained my experience that there really wasn’t much rollover difference that I could notice on the trails. I did notice a rollover difference between my 27.5 x 2.3 and 29 x 2.3. But, and this is what didn’t make sense to me, 27.5 x 2.6, despite being very close in size to the 29er, still felt more poppy and flickable and playful. So I started to really look at the geometry. And what I found is that the bb drop is often 20 mm more for a 29er than a 27.5. And my hypothesis is that this has more to do with the difference in feel- by having a larger bb drop you are sitting lower in the bike, making it more stable but less poppy and flickable. What do you think?

[@ClintGibbs]

I'm running a 2.5 on the front and 2.4 in the back. you are right in the bottom bracket height. The lower the bottom bracket sits in relation to the axles gives it a more in-the-bike feel and more stability. I like both as they both have different characteristics.

[@philjones4903]

How wide are the bars

[@ClintGibbs]

Both of these bikes have 800 mm bars

[@olliebroughton5319]

Hi Clint

[@14TacomaDR]

Will you ever do a e mountain bike review

[@ClintGibbs]

Stay tuned 😁...

[@adampalma3765]

Please do emtb as well. I ride both (emtb for alpine and enduro parks) and normal for xc and trail. I would love to see your channel cover both

[@pepeanza6187]

Always 29 is gona be faster at the end even whit 27.5 you feel faster sometimes at the end of a ride you can check your times and 29 is gona win I did that 50 times whit specialized enduro 29 vs 27.5, I own both bikes but what's really important is if you have the 2 wheels sizes is when you have some time riding one of them like 1 month or more and you switch, is like learning to ride again that wheel size you get used to the balance point in one bike and then you need some rides to get used again happend a lot specially when I have some time in 27.5 and the change to the 29 is different balance point and body position not so much the other way

[@ClintGibbs]

I would totally agree with that.

[@mustclime5311]

Got a transition sentinel alloy and it PR's all the trails on strava.....27.5 is dead.

[@jfresh2054]

So I have no money and was wondering if I could have your bike? Please. Lol. Wish I could afford this.